Flip Delport

It has been two years now since I started gathering information about South African Anglo players and their instruments. I maintain a data base of all the Wheatstone Anglos and their owners. At the moment I have 197 players on my list and I believe there are many more. There are more than 400 concertinas on my list. Flip Delport

Please ignore my comment that the anatomy is clearly English. It was just a thought that slipped out late at night. I do apologize. My information came from the owner during a telephone conversation. What I have to go on is the same as what you see on the photographs. I might have a chance this coming weekend to take photos of the inside. Of the three Wizard Anglos I found, not one is in good playing order. It is a cheap product and not at all popular amongst our Anglo players. I have listed over 300 Anglos and only 3 were Wizards, a few South African made Wheatstone clones and 95% g

I received the attached photographs totday.

Most of the Anglos that I have listed in South Africa (260 of them) have aluminium reed frames. Some of the older ones have brass frames. I prefer the sound of the ones with the brass frames. If brass is better than aluminium, why did Wheatstone change from brass to aluminium?

Thank you very much Stephen. I conclude that you suggest that I stick to the Minting’s list when dating all Anglos between 50001 and 55491 and treat 53120 as an exception. I was under the impression that Mr. Minty’s list is only a rough guide, probably scribbled down from memory, but I do except your explanation and will still use Mr. Minty’s list as a guide.

I found another one today - Will get a photo within a week.

Please let me refer you to a document written by Mr. Gaskins on 23 June 2001 at http://www.concertina.info/tina.faq/conc-ap1a.htm An extract from that document states: “On the train back from Stowmarket to London, I quickly noted down the APPROXIMATE years of various serial-ranges. (The dates are actually intermixed at year-breaks, as throughout all the ledgers, so it is NOT possible from this table to positively assign an instrument to a definite year--and my assignment of breaks is not necessarily any better than that of the manuscript note.) I added at the top the dates from the manuscr

Without the inscription of the date, I would rely on Mr. Gaskins's approximate date - that would be 1949. I will try my best to get a photograph.

Until now, I’ve used Robert Gaskins’s approximate dates as shown in the following table to date Anglos that I list in South Africa. 50001 - 51134 1937-1939 51135 - 51432 1940-1941 51433 - 52216 1946-1947 52217 - 53688 1948-1950 53700 - 54449 1951 54450 - 55491 1952 I have recently discovered no 53120, a 30 key black Anglo with Nickel Plated ends and metal capped buttons (4 A) with a very clear inscription on the inside - “19/04/1947”. If that inscription indicates the manufacturing date, I have to conclude that all the numbers before 53120 should be dated back

In my search for Anglo concertinas in South Africa, I found two 30 key instruments called "Anglo Wizard". Can anybody assist me in getting more information. I would like to know who made them and when they were made. The anatomy is clearly English. Flip Delport

I might be able to identify the concertina if you include a clear photograph of the instrument. Flip Delport

Thank you very much Allan for your recognition. I sincerely hope that Regardt’s contribution will inspire other teenagers to take up the challenge and become masters of playing the Anglo. I congratulate you for your part in this project. Flip Delport

I did a comprehensive study on concertina history with special reference to English constructed instruments. It forms part of a book that I am working on that will be published in the Afrikaans language. I would like to know if there is a short biography of Steve Dickinson available before I approach him personally. Can anybody help? Flip Delport

Hello Smitbaas, Forget about shortcuts if you want to learn to play the Anglo. There are many players in South Africa who would be more than willing to help. If you need references, you can reach me through “Die Boeremusiekgilde”. No virtual- or midi gadget can ever give you the real feel for the instrument. Be prepared to practice a lot. I took the Anglo up less than two years ago and also looked for easy ways. I can assure you there are no shortcuts. Go for it, Flip Delport